U.S. patent application number 11/117413 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for skate boot.
Invention is credited to Ivan Labonte.
Application Number | 20060179686 11/117413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36814149 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060179686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Labonte; Ivan |
August 17, 2006 |
Skate boot
Abstract
A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot
having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral
malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part
that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower
part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral
sides and toes. The skate boot comprises an outer shell and a
tendon guard affixed to the outer shell. The tendon guard is more
flexible than the outer shell such that it allows backwards flexion
of the ankle when the foot moves towards full extension.
Inventors: |
Labonte; Ivan; (Montreal,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FETHERSTONHAUGH - SMART & BIGGAR
1000 DE LA GAUCHETIERE WEST
SUITE 3300
MONTREAL
QC
H3B 4W5
CA
|
Family ID: |
36814149 |
Appl. No.: |
11/117413 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11057766 |
Feb 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
11117413 |
Apr 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
11057767 |
Feb 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
11057766 |
Feb 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/89 ;
36/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/1691
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/089 ;
036/115 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/20 20060101
A43B007/20; A43B 5/16 20060101 A43B005/16 |
Claims
1. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot
having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral
malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part
that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower
part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral
sides and toes, said skate boot comprising: (a) an outer shell
comprising a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; an
ankle portion for receiving the ankle, said ankle portion
comprising a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower
part of the Achilles tendon; and medial and lateral side portions
for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively;
and (b) a tendon guard affixed to said ankle portion for facing at
least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, said tendon
guard being more flexible than said outer shell such that said
tendon guard allows backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot
moves towards full extension.
2. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said tendon guard
comprises a bottom portion affixed to said rear portion of said
ankle portion and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said
bottom portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the
Achilles tendon, said flexing portion being capable of flexing
rearwardly from an initial position when pressure is applied on it
and returning to said initial position when pressure is no longer
applied on it.
3. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said tendon guard is
made of by injection molding.
4. A skate boot as defined in claim 2, wherein said ankle portion
comprises a lateral ankle side for facing the lateral malleolus and
medial ankle side for facing the medial malleolus and said tendon
guard comprises medial and lateral side portions extending
forwardly from said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being
affixed to said respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said
ankle portion.
5. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer shell
comprises a layer of thermoformable material and said outer shell
is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup
shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said
rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the
lower part of the Achilles tendon.
6. A skate boot as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer shell is
thermoformed such that said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle
side with a cup-shaped lateral depression for receiving the lateral
malleolus and a medial ankle side with a cup-shaped medial
depression for receiving the medial malleolus.
7. A skate boot as defined in claim 6, wherein said cup-shaped
lateral depression is below said cup-shaped medial depression.
8. A skate boot as defined in claim 7 further comprising an insole
facing the plantar surface of the foot.
9. A skate boot as defined in claim 8, wherein said outer shell
comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said
insole.
10. A skate boot as defined in claim 9, further comprising an
outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.
11. A skate boot as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer shell
comprises a medial skirt portion integrally formed with said medial
side portion and a lateral skirt portion integrally formed with
said lateral side portion, said medial and lateral skirt portions
being folded inwardly to form a sole facing the plantar surface of
the foot.
12. A skate boot as defined in claim 11, wherein said medial and
lateral skirt portions are affixed together.
13. A skate boot as defined in claim 12 further comprising an
outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said sole.
14. A skate boot as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer shell
comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being
more rigid than said inner layer.
15. A skate boot as defined in claim 14, wherein said layer of
thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and
inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate
layer being between said outer and inner layers.
16. A skate boot as defined in claim 15, wherein said intermediate
layer is made of thermoformable foam.
17. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, further comprising an inner
lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said inner
lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with the
heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in use.
18. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an
upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a
wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall
partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the
foot.
19. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 1.
20. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim
1.
21. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot
having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral
malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part
that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower
part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral
sides and toes, said skate boot comprising: (a) an outer shell
comprising a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; an
ankle portion for receiving the ankle, said ankle portion
comprising a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower
part of the Achilles tendon; and medial and lateral side portions
for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively;
and (b) a tendon guard comprising a bottom portion affixed to said
ankle portion and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said
bottom portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the
Achilles tendon, said flexing portion being more flexible than said
outer shell such that said flexing portion is capable of flexing
rearwardly for allowing backwards flexion of the ankle when the
foot moves towards full extension.
22. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said flexing
portion is capable of returning to an initial position when
pressure is no longer applied on it.
23. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said tendon guard
is made by injection molding.
24. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said ankle portion
comprises a lateral ankle side for facing the lateral malleolus and
medial ankle side for facing the medial malleolus and said tendon
guard comprises medial and lateral side portions extending
forwardly from said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being
affixed to said respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said
ankle portion.
25. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said outer shell
comprises a layer of thermoformable material and said outer shell
is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup
shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said
rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the
lower part of the Achilles tendon.
26. A skate boot as defined in claim 25, wherein said outer shell
is thermoformed such that said ankle portion comprises a lateral
ankle side with a cup-shaped lateral depression for receiving the
lateral malleolus and a medial ankle side with a cup-shaped medial
depression for receiving the medial malleolus.
27. A skate boot as defined in claim 26, wherein said tendon guard
comprises medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from
said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being affixed to said
respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle
portion.
28. A skate boot as defined in claim 27 further comprising an
insole facing the plantar surface of the foot.
29. A skate boot as defined in claim 28, wherein said outer shell
comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said
insole.
30. A skate boot as defined in claim 29, further comprising an
outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.
31. A skate boot as defined in claim 25, wherein said outer shell
comprises a medial skirt portion integrally formed with said medial
side portion and a lateral skirt portion integrally formed with
said lateral side portion, said medial and lateral skirt portions
being folded inwardly to form a sole facing the plantar surface of
the foot.
32. A skate boot as defined in claim 31, wherein said medial and
lateral skirt portions are affixed together.
33. A skate boot as defined in claim 32 further comprising an
outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said sole.
34. A skate boot as defined in claim 25, wherein said outer shell
comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being
more rigid than said inner layer.
35. A skate boot as defined in claim 34, wherein said layer of
thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and
inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate
layer being between said outer and inner layers.
36. A skate boot as defined in claim 35, wherein said intermediate
layer is made of thermoformable foam.
37. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, further comprising an
inner lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said
inner lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with
the heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in
use.
38. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, further comprising a
footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an
upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a
wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall
partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the
foot.
39. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim
21.
40. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim
21.
41. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot
having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral
malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part
that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower
part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral
sides and toes, said skate boot comprising: (a) an outer shell made
of thermoformable material, said outer shell being thermoformed
such that it comprises a heel portion for receiving the heel of the
foot; an ankle portion for receiving the ankle and having a rear
portion for facing at least partially the lower part of the
Achilles tendon; and medial and lateral side portions for facing
the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively; and (b) a
tendon guard affixed to said ankle portion for facing at least
partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, said tendon guard
being made of a flexible material such that said tendon guard
allows backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot moves towards
full extension, said flexible material being made by injection
molding.
42. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, wherein said tendon guard
comprises a bottom portion affixed to said rear portion of said
ankle portion and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said
bottom portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the
Achilles tendon.
43. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said ankle portion
comprises a lateral ankle side with a cup-shaped lateral depression
for receiving the lateral malleolus and medial ankle side with a
cup-shaped medial depression for receiving the medial
malleolus.
44. A skate boot as defined in claim 43, wherein said tendon guard
comprises medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from
said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being affixed to said
respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle
portion.
45. A skate boot as defined in claim 43, wherein said cup-shaped
lateral depression is below said cup-shaped medial depression.
46. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said flexing
portion is capable of flexing rearwardly from an initial position
when pressure is applied on it and returning to said initial
position when pressure is no longer applied on it.
47. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said bottom
portion of said tendon guard is affixed to said ankle portion via
one of stitching, over molding, thermal bonding, high frequency
welding, vibration welding, piping, zipper, adhesive and
staples.
48. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said outer shell
is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup
shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said
rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the
lower part of the Achilles tendon.
49. A skate boot as defined in claim 48 further comprising an
insole facing the plantar surface of the foot.
50. A skate boot as defined in claim 49, wherein said outer shell
comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said
insole.
51. A skate boot as defined in claim 50, further comprising an
outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.
52. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, wherein said outer shell
comprises a medial skirt portion integrally formed with said medial
side portion and a lateral skirt portion integrally formed with
said lateral side portion, said medial and lateral skirt portions
being folded inwardly to form a sole facing the plantar surface of
the foot.
53. A skate boot as defined in claim 52, wherein said medial and
lateral skirt portions are affixed together.
54. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, wherein said outer shell
comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being
more rigid than said inner layer.
55. A skate boot as defined in claim 54, wherein said layer of
thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and
inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate
layer being between said outer and inner layers.
56. A skate boot as defined in claim 55, wherein said intermediate
layer is made of foam.
57. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, further comprising an
inner lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said
inner lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with
the heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in
use.
58. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, further comprising a
footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an
upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a
wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall
partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the
foot.
59. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim
41.
60. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim
41.
61. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot
having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral
malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part
that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower
part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral
sides and toes, said skate boot comprising: (a) an outer shell
comprising a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; an
ankle portion for receiving the ankle and having a rear portion for
facing at least partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon;
and medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and
lateral sides of the foot respectively; and (b) a tendon guard for
facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon,
said tendon guard being made of a flexible material such that said
tendon guard flexes rearwardly from an initial position when the
foot moves towards full extension, said flexible material having
enough resiliency such that said tendon guard returns to said
initial position when pressure is no longer applied on it.
62. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said tendon guard
is made by injection molding.
63. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said ankle portion
comprises a lateral ankle side for facing the lateral malleolus and
medial ankle side for facing the medial malleolus and said tendon
guard comprises a bottom portion affixed to said rear portion of
said ankle portion, medial and lateral side portions extending
forwardly from said bottom portion and being affixed to said
respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle portion,
and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said bottom portion
for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles
tendon.
64. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said outer shell
comprises a layer of thermoformable material and said outer shell
is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup
shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said
rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the
lower part of the Achilles tendon.
65. A skate boot as defined in claim 64, wherein said outer shell
is thermoformed such that said ankle portion comprises a lateral
ankle side with a cup-shaped lateral depression for receiving the
lateral malleolus and a medial ankle side with a cup-shaped medial
depression for receiving the medial malleolus.
66. A skate boot as defined in claim 65, wherein said cup-shaped
lateral depression is below said cup-shaped medial depression.
67. A skate boot as defined in claim 66 further comprising an
insole facing the plantar surface of the foot.
68. A skate boot as defined in claim 67, wherein said outer shell
comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said
insole.
69. A skate boot as defined in claim 68, further comprising an
outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.
70. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said outer shell
comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being
more rigid than said inner layer.
71. A skate boot as defined in claim 70, wherein said layer of
thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and
inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate
layer being between said outer and inner layers.
72. A skate boot as defined in claim 71, wherein said intermediate
layer is made of thermoformable foam.
73. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, further comprising an
inner lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said
inner lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with
the heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in
use.
74. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, further comprising a
footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an
upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a
wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall
partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the
foot.
75. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim
61.
76. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 61.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/057,766 to Labonte and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/057,767 to Labonte, both filed on Feb. 15,
2005 and hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a skate boot comprising an
outer shell having a flexible tendon guard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,290 discloses a skate boot comprising
quarter medial and lateral portions integrally connected together
in a one-piece construction and being folded at a symmetry line to
form a U-shaped skate boot structure. The skate boot has a tendon
guard secured to the quarter medial and lateral portions at a
junction line in a side-by-side fashion thereby resulting in the
rear portion of the skate boot having an obtuse angular profile
defined by the tendon guard and the quarter medial and lateral
portions.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,159 discloses a skate boot comprising an
articulated cuff for encircling and supporting the ankle of a
skater. The articulated cuff is partially inserted in the skate
boot and is slidably coupled to the skate boot to permit forward
and backward motion of the articulated cuff relative to an axis
coinciding approximately with the pivot axis of the ankle of the
skater.
[0005] The most recent trend in skate boot construction is to
manufacture skate boots using lightweight components, and where
possible with a reduced number of components.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a lighter
skate boot that provides rigidity Accordingly, there is a need in
the industry for a lighter skate boot that provides rigidity around
the ankle while allowing backwards flexion of the ankle when the
foot of the skater moves towards full extension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention
provides a skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the
foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral
malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part
that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower
part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral
sides and toes. The skate boot comprises (a) an outer shell
comprising a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot; an
ankle portion for receiving the ankle, the ankle portion comprising
a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower part of the
Achilles tendon; and medial and lateral side portions for facing
the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively; and (b) a
tendon guard affixed to the ankle portion for facing at least
partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, the tendon guard
being more flexible than the outer shell such that the tendon guard
allows backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot moves towards
full extension.
[0008] The invention also provides a skate boot for enclosing a
human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a
medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having
an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with
relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a
plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The skate boot
comprises (a) an outer shell comprising a heel portion for
receiving the heel of the foot; an ankle portion for receiving the
ankle, the ankle portion comprising a rear portion for facing at
least partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon; and medial
and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides
of the foot respectively; and (b) a tendon guard comprising a
bottom portion affixed to the ankle portion and a flexing portion
projecting upwardly from the bottom portion for facing at least
partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, the flexing
portion being more flexible than the outer shell such that the
flexing portion is capable of flexing rearwardly for allowing
backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot moves towards full
extension.
[0009] The invention further provides a skate boot for enclosing a
human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a
medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having
an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with
relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a
plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The skate boot
comprises (a) an outer shell made of thermoformable material, the
outer shell being thermoformed such that it comprises a heel
portion for receiving the heel of the foot; an ankle portion for
receiving the ankle and having a rear portion for facing at least
partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon; and medial and
lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of
the foot respectively; and (b) a tendon guard affixed to the ankle
portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the
Achilles tendon, the tendon guard being made of a flexible material
such that the tendon guard allows backwards flexion of the ankle
when the foot moves towards full extension, the flexible material
being made by injecting molding.
[0010] Moreover, the invention provides a skate boot for enclosing
a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a
medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having
an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with
relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a
plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The skate boot
comprises (a) an outer shell comprising a heel portion for
receiving the heel of the foot; an ankle portion for receiving the
ankle and having a rear portion for facing at least partially the
lower part of the Achilles tendon; and medial and lateral side
portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot
respectively; and (b) a tendon guard for facing at least partially
the upper part of the Achilles tendon, the tendon guard being made
of a flexible material such that the tendon guard flexes rearwardly
from an initial position when the foot moves towards full
extension, said flexible material having enough resiliency such
that the tendon guard returns to its initial position when pressure
is no longer applied on it.
[0011] These and other aspects and features of the present
invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art upon review of the following description of specific
embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A detailed description of examples of embodiments of the
present invention is provided hereinbelow with reference to the
following drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a right human foot with the
integument of the foot shown in stippled lines and the bones shown
in solid lines;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front view of the human foot of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ice skate in accordance
with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the ice skate of FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer shell of FIGS. 3
and 4, wherein the outer shell is in a partial state of
completion;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer shell of FIGS. 3
and 4;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outer shell of FIGS. 3
and 4 with the tendon guard of FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the outer shell and
tendon guard of FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 9 shows a skater in a first skating position;
[0022] FIG. 10 shows the skater in a second skating position;
[0023] FIG. 11 shows the skater in a third skating position;
[0024] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the right skate of FIG. 11;
and
[0025] FIG. 13 is a partial side elevational view of the ice skate
of FIG. 3 showing in stippled lines the tendon guard in a position
wherein the tendon guard allows backwards flexion of the ankle of
the skater.
[0026] In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood
that the description and drawings are only for the purposes of
illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended
to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] To facilitate the description, any reference numerals
designating an element in one figure will designate the same
element if used in any other figures. In describing the
embodiments, specific terminology is resorted to for the sake of
clarity but the invention is not intended to be limited to the
specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific
term comprises all equivalents.
[0028] Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a typical right human foot F that
includes toes T, a plantar surface PS, a medial side MS and a
lateral side LS. In addition, the human foot includes a heel H, an
Achilles tendon AT and an ankle A having a lateral malleolus LM and
a medial malleolus MM, the lateral malleolus LM being at a lower
position than the medial malleolus MM. The Achilles tendon AT has
an upper part UP and a lower part LP projecting outwardly with
relation to the upper part UP, the lower part merging with the heel
H.
[0029] Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an ice skate 1 that comprises a
skate boot 10 suitable for enclosing the foot F. Although the skate
boot 10 shown in the figures is being used for an ice skate 1, it
is understood that the skate boot 10 can be used for a roller
skate.
[0030] The ice skate 1 has an outer shell 12 for receiving the foot
F, a toe cap 14 made of rigid molded plastic for facing the toes T,
a tongue 16 extending upwardly and rearwardly from the toe cap 14
for covering the forefoot of the foot F, a rigid insert 18 for
providing more rigidity around the ankle A and heel H, an inner
lining 20, a footbed 22, an insole 24, an outsole 26, an ice skate
blade holder 28 and a blade 30. The rigid insert 18 may be glued to
an inner surface of the outer shell 12. It is understood that the
rigid insert 18 is an optional component and may be eliminated if
the outer shell 12 is sufficiently rigid for supporting the ankle A
and heel H. Similarly, the insole 24 and outsole 26 are optional
components and may be eliminated if the outer shell 12 is
sufficiently rigid for receiving the blade holder 28.
[0031] The inner lining 20 is affixed to an inner surface of the
outer shell 12 and it comprises an inner surface 32 intended for
contact with the heel H, ankle A and medial and lateral sides MS,
LS of the foot F in use. If the skate boot 10 comprises the rigid
insert 18, such rigid insert 18 is sandwiched between the outer
shell 12 and inner lining 20 and such inner lining 20 may be glued
to the inner surfaces of the outer shell 12 and rigid insert 18 and
stitched along its periphery to the outer shell 12. The inner
lining 20 is made of a soft material and can be a fabric made of
100% NYLON.RTM. fibers. The footbed 22 is mounted inside the outer
shell 12 and it comprises an upper surface 34 for receiving the
plantar surface PS and a wall 36 projecting upwardly from the upper
surface 34. The wall 36 partially cups the heel H and extends up to
a medial line of the foot F.
[0032] The skate boot 10 also comprises bands 38 secured to upper
side portions of the outer shell 12. The bands 38 may be made of
fabric, textile or leather and comprises apertures 40. Eyelets 42
are punched into the band 38, outer shell 12 and inner lining 20
vis-a-vis apertures 40. The skate boot 10 further comprises a
tendon guard 42 for facing at least partially the upper part UP of
the Achilles tendon AT.
[0033] The outer shell 12 will now be described in more detail
below with respect to FIGS. 5 to 8. While the tendon guard 42 is
made of a flexible material, the outer shell 12 is made of a more
rigid material in order to provide enough support to the foot F.
The outer shell 12 may be made of a thermoformable material. As
used herein, the expression "thermoformable material" refers to a
material that is capable of softening when heated and of hardening
again when cooled. Some non-limiting examples of different types of
thermoformable material comprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam,
polyethylene foam, polystyrene foam, polypropylene foam and
thermoformable materials sold under the trade-marks MEGABIX.RTM.,
SURLYN.RTM., SONTARA.RTM., FORMO500.RTM., BYLON.RTM., MOSOCA.RTM.
and NYLON.RTM. 66.
[0034] The outer shell 12 may be made from a pre-cut sheet of
thermoformable material having a profile corresponding to that of
the outer shell 12. The sheet of material may be a composite sheet
having a layer of thermoformable foam. Some non-limiting examples
of different types of thermoformable foam include ethylene vinyl
acetate (EVA) foam, polyethylene foam and polypropylene foam. High
density polyethylene (HDPE) 1300, 1100 and 0907 foams can also be
used. The sheet may be made of thermoforming materials such as
those sold under the trade-mark MEGABIX.RTM. (a core of extruded
SURLYN.RTM., a backing of SONTARA.RTM. and a hot melt coating;
thickness of 0.95 mm), FORMO500.RTM. (non woven polyester with a
core of extruded polyolefinic, stiffening layers of synthetic latex
on each side and an ethylene vinyl acetate hot melt adhesive on one
side; thickness of 1.50 mm), BYLON.RTM. (a nylon multifilament with
a backing of black saturated needle punched polyester nonwoven and
a face coating of non-fray urethane) and MOSOCA.RTM. (NYLON.RTM. 66
with a core of SURLYN.RTM. and a PU coating). The composite sheet
may also be made of a first sheet of polyethylene high density
(HDPE) foam; a second sheet of thermoplastic; and a third composite
sheet made of a first layer of cotton, a second layer of
SURLYN.RTM. fibers, a third layer of a mesh of NYLON.RTM. fibers
and a coating. These sheets being laminated together before or
during the thermoforming process of the outer shell 12.
[0035] The sheet of thermoformable material may include two or
three layers, wherein the layer that will form the outer surface of
the outer shell 12 is more rigid that the layer that will form the
inner surface of the outer shell 12. A layer of thermoformable foam
may be located between the inner and outer layers. In a
non-limiting embodiment, the thermoformed shell 12 is made of a
single sheet made of thermoformable material. However, it should be
understood that the thermoformed shell could also be made of
multiple sections. For example, the thermoformed shell could be
made from separate medial and lateral side portions that are
affixed together.
[0036] The outer shell 12 is thermoformed such that it comprises a
heel portion 44 for receiving the heel H, an ankle portion 46 for
receiving the ankle A and medial and lateral side portions 48, 50
for facing the medial and lateral sides MS, LS respectively. These
components form a foot receiving cavity that conforms to the
general shape of the foot F.
[0037] The heel portion 44 may be thermoformed such that it is
substantially cup shaped for following the contour of the heel
H.
[0038] The ankle portion 46 comprises medial and lateral ankle
sides 52, 54. The medial ankle side 52 has a medial cup-shaped
depression 56 for receiving the medial malleolus MM and the lateral
ankle side 54 has a lateral cup-shaped depression 58 for receiving
the lateral malleolus LM. The lateral depression 58 is located
slightly lower than the medial depression 56, for conforming to the
morphology of the foot F. The ankle portion 46 further comprises a
rear portion 60 facing the lower part LP of the Achilles tendon AT.
The rear portion 60 may be thermoformed such that it follows the
lower part LP of the Achilles tendon AT.
[0039] The medial and lateral side portions 48, 50 extend forwardly
from the heel and ankle portions 44, 46 and comprise respective
medial and lateral skirt portions 62, 64 that are integrally formed
therewith and extend downwardly therefrom. As shown in FIG. 6, in
order to complete the outer shell 12, the medial and lateral skirt
portions 62, 64 are folded inwardly to form a sole 66 having an
upper surface 68 for facing a substantial portion of the plantar
surface PS and a bottom surface 70 for receiving an outsole, a
blade holder or a roller chassis. The medial and lateral skirt
portions 62, 64 may be affixed together via stitching 72. It should
however be understood that the skirt portions 62, 64 could be
affixed together in a variety of different manners without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the skate boot 10 may comprises the
insole 24 that has an upper surface for facing the plantar surface
PS of the foot and a bottom surface on which the upper surface 68
of the sole 66 may be affixed. The boot 10 may also comprise the
outsole 26 that has a bottom surface of which the blade holder 28
is mounted. It is however understood that the insole 24 and outsole
26 are optional components and may be eliminated if the sole is
sufficiently rigid for receiving the blade holder 28.
Alternatively, only the outsole 26 may be eliminated and the insole
24 may still be used in the construction of the skate boot 10.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the tendon guard 42 is affixed
to the ankle portion 46 of the outer shell 12 for facing at least
partially the upper part UP of the Achilles tendon AT. The tendon
guard 42 can be affixed to the ankle portion 46 via stitching, over
molding, thermal bonding, high frequency welding, vibration
welding, piping, zipper, adhesive and staples, among other
possibilities known in the art. The tendon guard 42 is more
flexible than the outer shell 12 such that it allows backwards
flexion of the ankle A when the foot F moves towards full
extension. The tendon guard 42 may be made of silicone or may be
made by injection molding using polyester (e.g. polyester
HYTREL.RTM.) polyurethane, polyamide, or other suitable
thermoplastics. The selected material must have enough flexibility
for allowing the tendon guard to flex rearwardly when pressure is
applied on it while it should also have enough resiliency for
allowing the tendon guard to return to its initial position when
pressure is no longer applied on the tendon guard.
[0042] The tendon 42 may comprise a bottom portion 74 and a flexing
portion 80 that projects upwardly from the bottom portion 74 for
facing at least partially the upper part UP of the Achilles tendon
AT. The bottom portion 74 of the tendon guard 42 is affixed to the
rear portion 60 of the ankle portion 46. The tendon guard 42 may
also comprise medial and lateral side portions 76, 78 extending
forwardly from the bottom portion 74 and being affixed to the
respective medial and lateral ankle sides 52, 54 of the ankle
portion 46.
[0043] The skate boot 10 may comprise a single continuous band that
covers the upper portion of each of the medial and lateral side
portions 48, 50 of the outer shell 12 and wraps around the rear
portion 60 and sides 52, 54 of the ankle portion 46 and cover the
bottom, medial and lateral side portions 74, 76, 78 of the tendon
guard 42 instead of the two distinct bands 38 shown in FIGS. 3 and
4. The single continuous band is made of fabric, textile or
leather. In such an alternative embodiment, the portions 74, 76, 78
of the tendon guard 42 is sandwiched between the single continuous
band and the outer shell 12. The skate boot 10 may also comprise an
overlay covering a rear part of the flexing portion 80 of the
tendon guard 42, such overlay being made of fabric, textile or
leather. In such further alternative embodiment, the flexing
portion 80 is sandwiched between the overlay and the inner lining
20.
[0044] FIGS. 9 to 12 show a skater in different skating positions.
In FIG. 9, the right foot of the skater begins the pushing action
against the ice. As shown in this figure, the flexing portion 80 of
the tendon guard 42 faces at least partially the upper part UP of
the Achilles tendon AT but does not contact the upper part UP. In
FIG. 10, the right foot of the skater continues its pushing action
and the flexing portion 80 of the tendon guard 42 then abuts
against the upper part UP of the Achilles tendon AT. As shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12, when the right foot of the skater continues its
pushing action and reaches full extension, the flexing portion 80
allows backwards flexion of the ankle A. Hence, because of its
flexibility, the tendon guard 42 allows backwards flexion of the
ankle A when the foot of the skater moves towards full extension.
Note that only the foremost part of the blade contacts the ice when
the skater reaches full push extension.
[0045] After reaching full push extension, the foot of the skater
moves forwardly without touching the ice and another pushing motion
of the foot will begin once the skate will again touch the ice. It
is understood that the tendon guard 42 should return to its initial
position shown in FIG. 9 once the full push extension of the foot
is completed. In that sense, while the material of the tendon guard
42 is enough flexible for allowing the tendon guard 42 to flex
rearwardly from its initial position when the foot of the skater
moves towards full extension, the material should also have enough
resiliency such that the tendon guard 42 return to its initial
position shown in FIG. 9 when no pressure is applied on it.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 13, in its initial position shown in full
lines, the tendon guard 42 is in a generally vertical position.
When the ankle flexes backwards and pressure is applied against the
flexing portion 80 of the tendon guard 42, the tendon guard 42, as
shown in stippled lines, is then capable of flexing rearwardly of
an angle .theta., such angle .theta. may be up to 90.degree..
[0047] The above description of the embodiments should not be
interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations,
modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is
defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *